Essential pneumatic fittings for reliable connections
Pneumatic fittings, also called compressed air connectors, are essential components in any system that utilises pressurised air to perform mechanical work. These fittings ensure secure and reliable connections between tubing and other parts of a compressed air system, which is vital for efficient operation. Understanding the different types of pneumatic fittings and their specific applications is crucial for selecting the right ones for your needs.
How to select pneumatic fittings?
Selecting the appropriate pneumatic fittings is crucial for optimising system performance and durability.
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting pneumatic fittings, some of which include:
Pneumatic system connection requirements
The complexity of your pneumatic system will determine the type of connection needed. We differentiate between the following connection types:
- Simple connection
- Multiple connection
Application & environment requirements
The specific application and operating environment will dictate the necessary properties of your pneumatic fittings. Consider application and environment factors such as:
- General purpose applications: Fittings suited for general industrial applications
- Corrosion resistance: Stainless-steel pneumatic fittings resistant to exposure to moisture, or harsh environments.
- Weather resistance: Fittings suitable for environments with extreme weather conditions
- Food safety compliance (FDA): Fittings using FDA-compliant materials suitable for food and beverage processing equipment
- Antistatic: Fittings that can be used in applications requiring the prevention of static electricity buildup
- Clean room: Completely oil-free fittings and fluoropolymer high-purity hyper fittings that are compatible with cleanroom environments
- Rotary applications: Fittings designed for rotating equipment or applications involving movement
Fitting material
The choice of fitting material depends on the specific requirement of your application:
- Fitting material suitable for general purpose applications
- PBT
- Brass
- Nickel-plated brass
- Fitting material for corrosive environments and frequent wash-down zones:
- Fitting material for other specific environments such as clean rooms or applications with electrostatic charge, or high exposure to harsh weather:
Fitting connection type
- Threaded fittings
- Tube-to-tube fittings
- Adapters
Fitting shape
- Straight fittings
- Elbow fittings
- Other shapes: T-shaped fittings, Y-shaped,...
Thread size and/or tube diameter
There are different types depending on the thread size of the pneumatic fittings and/or the tube diameter.
If you wish to make a detailed selection based on your requirements, you can check out our navigation by functionality for fittings and make sure you find the best solution.